Fire codes are not just a formality, they are a critical part of protecting lives, property, and business operations. For business owners in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, understanding how fire codes apply to your commercial property can help you avoid violations, fines, and dangerous situations. Fire codes exist to reduce fire risks, ensure safe evacuation, and verify that fire protection systems work when they’re needed most.

In Texas, fire codes are typically based on nationally recognized standards such as those from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and are enforced locally by city fire marshals. While specific requirements may vary by municipality, the core expectations are consistent across most commercial properties.

What Fire Codes Typically Cover

Fire codes address a wide range of safety measures within a business, including fire extinguisher placement and inspection, emergency exit lighting, illuminated exit signs, fire alarm systems, and suppression systems. Inspectors also review clear exit paths, proper signage, and documentation showing required inspections and maintenance have been completed.

Fire extinguishers must be properly mounted, visible, and inspected annually. Emergency exit lights must function during power outages and pass required testing. In restaurants or facilities with commercial kitchens, suppression systems must be inspected regularly to remain compliant.

Why Fire Code Compliance Matters

Fire code compliance isn’t just about passing inspections—it’s about readiness. Fires don’t wait for convenient moments, and code-compliant systems help ensure your staff and customers can evacuate safely while minimizing property damage. Non-compliance can result in citations, reinspection fees, business interruptions, or even temporary closure.

Another important factor is liability. If a fire occurs and investigators find that required safety measures were ignored, business owners may face insurance issues or legal exposure.

Staying Compliant in DFW

The best way to stay compliant is through routine inspections and preventative maintenance. Businesses change over time—layouts shift, equipment is added, and occupancy levels fluctuate. Regular reviews help catch issues before they become violations.

For authoritative guidance on fire safety standards, visit the National Fire Protection Association, which provides detailed information on codes such as NFPA 10 and NFPA 101.

If you’re unsure whether your business meets current fire code requirements, now is the time to review your systems. Contact Service Fire Equipment to schedule inspections, address compliance concerns, and keep your Dallas–Fort Worth business protected year-round.

Fire extinguishers are one of the most critical pieces of fire safety equipment in any commercial building, but simply having them on-site is not enough. Where fire extinguishers are placed can directly impact response time, evacuation safety, and overall compliance with fire codes. Proper fire extinguisher placement helps ensure that employees and occupants can act quickly during an emergency, when every second counts.

Why Fire Extinguisher Placement Is More Than a Code Requirement

In a fire emergency, panic and limited visibility can make it difficult to locate safety equipment. Fire extinguishers must be clearly visible, unobstructed, and located along normal paths of travel so they can be accessed without delay. When extinguishers are hidden behind furniture, blocked by inventory, or installed too far from potential fire hazards, they may not be usable when needed most.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides detailed placement guidelines under NFPA 10, which outlines maximum travel distances, mounting heights, and visibility requirements. You can find more information on these standards at NFPA.org, a trusted external resource for fire safety guidance.

Common Placement Mistakes in Commercial Buildings

Many commercial properties unknowingly fall out of compliance due to everyday operational changes. Rearranged layouts, added storage, or new equipment can block extinguishers or place them too far from high-risk areas. Other common issues include extinguishers mounted too high, missing signage, or incorrect extinguisher types placed in specialized areas like kitchens or electrical rooms.

These mistakes not only increase safety risks but can also lead to violations during fire marshal inspections.

How Proper Placement Improves Safety and Readiness

Correct fire extinguisher placement ensures faster response, supports safe evacuation, and reduces property damage by allowing small fires to be controlled early. Regular inspections and professional assessments help confirm that extinguishers are still correctly positioned as your business evolves.

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If you’re unsure whether your fire extinguishers are properly placed or compliant, now is the time to review your setup. Contact Service Fire Equipment to schedule an inspection or placement assessment and help protect your building, your employees, and your business.

Questions? Contact us today and we can help!

Fire safety equipment is essential for protecting employees, customers, and property. Regardless of the size or type of business you operate, having the proper fire protection tools in place—and ensuring they’re maintained and accessible—can make a life-saving difference in the event of a fire.

How to use a fire extinguisher is one of the most important safety skills your team should have in the event of a fire emergency. While it’s essential to have fire extinguishers in place throughout your facility, it’s equally vital that employees know how to operate them properly and confidently. A few moments of hesitation or misuse can make all the difference in containing a fire before it spreads.

Fire extinguishers are only effective when used correctly, and unfortunately, many people don’t receive formal training. That’s why hands-on training or a simple refresher course is a smart investment. Employees should be introduced to the PASS method:

• Pull the pin
• Aim low at the base of the fire
• Squeeze the handle
• Sweep from side to side

This method offers a clear, easy-to-remember process for quickly reacting during a stressful situation.

Another important part of learning how to use a fire extinguisher is understanding the different types of fires and matching them to the correct extinguisher. A water-based extinguisher won’t help on electrical fires, and using the wrong type can actually worsen the situation. Training should include information about the classes of fires (A, B, C, D, and K) and the corresponding fire extinguisher needed for each.

Ongoing training should be part of your fire safety program, especially when onboarding new employees or if equipment changes. Even a brief annual refresher can help ensure team members retain critical information. Practical drills combined with classroom instruction make the information more likely to stick when it matters most.

Giving your team the knowledge and confidence to act in a fire emergency helps protect not just your property, but more importantly, lives.

Make fire safety a team effort—contact us with any questions and be sure to give us a call to schedule fire extinguisher inspections or maintenance!

When a power outage occurs, emergency lighting can be the difference between chaos and calm. These critical systems guide people to safety by illuminating pathways and exits during emergencies. But to function when needed most, they must be tested and maintained regularly. If you're a property owner or manager, staying on top of your emergency lighting maintenance is not just a smart safety practice—it’s a legal obligation.

Why Is Emergency Lighting Important?

Emergency lights provides backup illumination when the regular power supply fails. Whether due to a fire, natural disaster, or electrical fault, emergency lights help occupants exit the building safely. These systems are especially crucial in commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential buildings. OSHA and NFPA regulations require that emergency light systems be fully operational and tested at specific intervals.

Testing and Maintenance

How Often Should Lighting Be Tested?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 101) requires that emergency lighting systems undergo:

• Monthly Functional Tests – Lights must be tested for at least 30 seconds to confirm they turn on and operate properly.
• Annual Full Duration Tests – A full test is required annually to ensure the battery can support emergency lighting for the full duration during a real emergency.

Maintenance includes checking batteries, bulbs, and internal components for damage or wear. If a system fails a test, it must be repaired or replaced promptly to remain compliant.

Stay Compliant and Keep Occupants Safe

Regular testing ensures your lighting will function when it matters most. Neglecting this responsibility not only puts lives at risk but could also lead to legal penalties and insurance issues.

Ensure Your Emergency Exit Lighting is Always Ready

At Service Fire Equipment, we offer scheduled inspections and maintenance to help your building stay safe and compliant. Contact us today to set up a service plan tailored to your property’s needs.

An expired fire extinguisher is more than just an outdated tool—it can be a serious safety risk if left unchecked. Fire extinguishers play a critical role in protecting lives and property during emergencies, but they don't last forever. Understanding what happens after they expire and how to properly dispose of them is essential for maintaining a safe environment.

Fire safety should be a top priority for any business, regardless of industry or size. Yet far too many companies unintentionally overlook critical precautions, putting their employees, customers, and assets at risk. By learning about the top fire safety mistakes businesses make, you can better prepare your workplace to avoid costly hazards, violations, and downtime.

Running a business or managing a commercial property involves many responsibilities, and fire safety is one of the most important. A fire marshal inspection is not just a formality—it ensures that your building meets local, state, and national fire codes and is safe for employees, customers, and visitors. Failing an inspection can result in costly fines, mandatory closures, or worse, increased risk in the event of a fire.

When it comes to fire protection, fire extinguisher inspection and maintenance are often misunderstood or used interchangeably. While both are essential for safety and compliance, they serve different functions in ensuring that your fire extinguishers are ready when you need them most.

Recharging fire extinguishers is crucial because, once every 24 seconds, a fire department responds to an emergency call regarding a fire. Is your business ready when it comes to fire protection? While developing an evacuation plan and assigning roles in your office is important, ensuring that you know how to operate a fire extinguisher -- and that those fire extinguishers are in working condition -- is also key.

In this post, we'll walk you through the steps you need to know to understand how to use a fire extinguisher and discuss the importance of proper maintenance and recharging dire extinguishers. 

We'll also tell you how to find the top fire extinguisher sales and services in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.